A Community FYI

When asked what river runs through the nation’s capitol, people often reply “the Potomac” and they would be correct; but there is another, the Anacostia. The Anacostia, frequently called the “forgotten river”, was once a key source for commercial trade from Bladensburg to the greater Chesapeake region but was neglected over the last 100 years resulting in it becoming one of the most polluted rivers in the nation. The river literally became a cesspool, with untreated sewage entering it with every rainfall of an inch or more. Deforestation upriver, due to development, led to forty feet of silt settling along its bottom not only making the river unnavigable but forming a trap for chemicals from run-off and illegal dumping thus creating a toxic soup. The river was no longer fishable or swimmable as it once was, becoming an eyesore and health hazard for all the communities that lie along its shores

In the last few years the District, federal and regional governments along with environmental organizations and citizens interested in restoring this great river have begun to make a difference. No longer is the Anacostia on the list of the top ten polluted rivers. The river has begun a turnaround. Laws have been passed against illegal dumping, enforcement of those laws has increased and plans are in development to prevent untreated sewage from entering the river. Hundreds of trees have been planted along with new wetlands to mitigate the effects of stormwater run-off. People have taken personal actions to clean up the waterway removing trash and debris and beautifying our neighborhoods; but more is needed.

Pope Branch Creek is one of the major tributaries of the Anacostia east of the river; others include Watts Branch and Nash Run in northern Ward 7. This little creek runs to the west, more or less parallel with M Place, from Ft. Davis Drive, under Fairlawn Avenue and I-295 eventually entering the river at its shores in Anacostia Park. Several years ago, Joseph Glover, Ward 7 community resident and activist began a simple initiative; he and his family walked along the creek picking up bottles, cans, plastic bags and other trash in an effort to reclaim this little gem of a park. He would eventually form an advocacy group, the Pope Branch Park Restoration Alliance (PBPRA) to speak on behalf of the creek and its surrounding park. Sadly, Mr. Glover passed away last year after suffering an illness, but we continue in his memory and spirit. One result of his efforts is a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DC Water, the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) and the District’s Department of Parks and Recreation to realign sewer lines that crisscross the stream, install anti-erosion measures along its shores and create hiking trails further connecting the community to the overall park. Construction along the entire creek is tentatively scheduled for this spring. DDOE and DC Water will update the community in the near future about those activities and their impact upon the affected neighborhoods (Twining Dupont Park and Penn-Branch). Another initiative is an annual clean-up of the park on Martin Luther King Day of National Service, the 5th such event taking place this forthcoming January 17th,

At this event we hope to have over 150 volunteers from around the District and this neighborhood join us in removing invasive plants and shrubs that choke the creeks and picking up trash and debris from around the park. We will gather at M Place and Fairlawn Avenue SE at 9:00 am (on-site registration begins at 8:30 am) and we will complete at 1:00 pm. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and other refreshments will be served.

This event is being organized by the Pope Branch Park Restoration Alliance and Groundwork Anacostia River DC in conjunction with the Earth Conservation Corps, Wholeness for Humanity, Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, Ward 8 Environmental Council, Clean Water Action, Greater DC Cares, DC Water, DC Office of the Clean City, DC Department of the Environment, DC Department of Transportation and the DC Department of Public Works.

For more information, contact Irv Sheffey at 202-299-6503 or irv.sheffey@sierraclub.org
http://popebranch.blogspot.com/

Preliminary Stream Designs

The preliminary stream designs are moving along with rough sketches presently available. Please contact Josh Burch at DDOE for more information: (202) 535-2247 or josh.burch@dc.gov

Homegoing of a Friend and Leader

Joseph A. Glover, Founder and Chair of the Pope Branch Park Restoration Alliance died on January 26th, 2010. Mr. Glover lived on the border of the Park and loved it and the stream dearly. He spent numerous hours over the years cleaning the park, organizing residents to become stewards of it and to pressure government to make improvements to it. He was a leader and an inspiration to those of us who have worked in the park and along the stream. Although he is gone his spirit still remains and it inspires all of us to action.

Stream Designs Coming Soon!!!

Preliminary stream designs will be ready in early March and meetings with community residents will be set up so that residents in the Pope Branch watershed can provide feedback to the proposal for how the stream will look. The first time for public viewing of the preliminary stream designs will be on March 9th, 2010 at 7pm at the PennBranch Citizens Civic Association meeting at Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church (3000 Pennsylvania Ave. SE).

For more information contact Josh Burch at the District Department of the Environment at josh.burch@dc.gov or (202) 535-2247.

MLK Jr. Day: Pope Branch Park in Action

Pope Branch Park volunteers in action on MLK's Day of Service.













A favorable day with some beautiful people and trash. Thank you all for participating. Stay tuned for a message from our sponsors...

TRASH CLEANUP, TREE PLANTING, INVASIVE PLANT REMOVING, & STORM DRAIN MARKING -- What FUN!!

Happy holidays everyone!

As we enter this season of good cheer I want to suggest that you start racking up “good deeds” for the year to come – you never know when Santa starts putting his list together. As you begin planning 2010 please place this event on your calendar and come out and help in putting a bit of shine on your community. We will be out rain or snow on MLK Day unless we encounter a blizzard similar to the one we just experienced. Even though its winter time, I can assure you that once we get started you’ll warm up. We will be clearing trash and debris from the park and the surrounding neighborhood, removing invasive plants that choke out native trees and shrubs, inventorying where street trees are needed, planting ten trees in the park and marking drains with plaques indicating that they lead to the Anacostia River and to not dump into them.. This event will qualify for DC Public School service credits so if you know a student, let them know about this opportunity. We’ll have donuts and hot coffee to warm you up throughout the day. We look forward to seeing you on January 18th. Contact me by email or at the numbers below and please pass the word.

Take care

Irv

tel: 202-575-1469
cell: 202-299-6503

e-mail: irv.sheffey@ sierraclub. org

4th Annual MLK Jr's Day of National Service CLEAN UP EVENT

The Pope Branch Park Restoration Alliance
In conjunction with

● Groundwork Anacostia River
● Earth Conservation Corps
● Wholeness for Humanity
● Sierra Club
● Ward 8 Environmental Council
● River East Emerging Leaders
● Greater DC Cares
● Advisory Neighborhood Commission 7A
● DC Office of the Clean City
● DC Department of the Environment
● DC Department of Transportation DC Department of Parks and Recreation
● DC Department of Public Works

Invites you to join us at our

4th Annual Pope Branch Park Clean-up Event in honor of the
Martin Luther King Jr.
Day of National Service
January 18, 2009
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

This Community Service Project celebrates Dr. King and the continuing efforts of Joseph Glover, Founder & Chair of the Pope Branch Park Restoration Alliance to restore and beautify the Pope Branch Creek tributary of the Anacostia River

We will gather as a community to remove trash and invasive plant species from along the creek.
Meet us at Fairlawn Avenue & M Street, SE
For additional information and to register as an individual or as a group, please contact Irv Sheffey; Sierra Club / Pope Branch Park Restoration Alliance
(202) 299-6503 ● irv.sheffey@sierraclub.org